Combined step-ladder and adjustable bench



(Mode lJ M. H. TYLER. COMBINED STEP LADDER AND ADJUSTABLE BENCH.

Patented Dec. 27, 1887.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MELVIN H. TYLER, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

COMBINED STEP-LADDER AND ADJUSTABLE BENCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 375,400, dated December 2'7, 1887.

Application filed May 28, 1887. Serial No. 239,649.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MELVIN H. TYLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, in the'county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Step-Ladder and Adjustable Bench; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. I

My invention relates to an improved stepladder and bench combined patented to me October 3, 1882, byLetters Patent numbered 265,471; and my invention consists in certain improvements which I have introduced into the construction of the device there shown.

In the step-ladder patented to me as above I found in practice great difficulty in making a hinged connection between the ladder-frame and the brace-frame, which should be strong and durable and cheaply made. As formerly constructed, I used a pin-connection, which passed through the upper. end of the side bars of the ladder into the ends of the upper step. The very considerable strain which was exerted on this'joint tended to split both the end of the ladder and the step.

My invention consists of a pivoted connection between theladder and the bracing-frame composed of a wire, one end of which is bent to form a pin or pivot passing through the end of the ladder and into the step, the other end being also bent to pass through the braceframe at a distance from the point ofjunction of the two frames, the latter end of said wire entering a groove in the side of a pail-rest, which is suspended within the bracingframe.

My invention further consists in a clasp or fastening which holds the removable table-top to the bench, said clasp being a flexible wire, the ends of which pass'through loops or staples placed under the ends of the tabletop, and which is adapted to be sprung over the ends of the brace-frame.

I illustrate my invention drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a perspective view of rnyimproved step ladder and adjustable bench.

by the following Fig. 2 is a side view of the same adjusted as a table and with a table-top in position. Fig. 3

(Model.)

is a side view adjusted as a ladder and showing the pail-rest drawn out. Fig. 4 shows an end view of the upper portion of the table, showing the method of attaching the table-top. Fig. 5 is a plan or top view of table. Fig. 6 is a detail section through line w x of Fig. 3.

A and B are two frames, one within the other, pivoted together by the rod a.

b and a are the steps, 0 being the upper step.

O is the brace-frame, provided with the ratchets D D, secured thereto. Each end of the upper step, c, is secured to the upper end of the side pieces of the brace'frame O.

l is the stay-rod.

The parts so far described are common to my device as formerly made, and I will now proceed to describe my improvements.

F is a stout wire, each end being bent at right angles'to the main part. One of these bent ends,f is passed through the upper end of the side bar, A, of the ladder, and extends into the end of the upper step, a, forming a pin-connection between the two. The other end, f ,passes through the side bar of the braceframe at a distance from the step c and extends into the groove 9, which is formed 1ongitudinally in the side bar of the pail-rest G, and forming a pivot by which the pail rest is suspended within the brace-frame 0. Both sides of the ladder are provided with the wires F. The end f is fastened into place by the wire nailf, (see Fig. 6,) the head end of which is secured to the bar 0 by means of the staple f, the other or sharpened end being passed around the wire Fand then driven into the rail. The pail-rest G is thus suspended on the end f of the wire F, and may be slid longitudinally up or down when the device is adjusted as a ladder. The rest G hangs suspended by the ends of wires F which rest against the end of groove 9. When it is to be used, it is raised to a horizontal position and its end slipped under the crossbar b, as in Fig. 3. The wire F thus serves to keep the pail-rest suspended within the brace-frame to pivot the ladder-frame to the brace-frame, and it further relieves the strain which would otherwise tend to split the upper step if a simple pin were used, as in the former construction of my device. Its upper end also roo forms a pivot, which is much stronger than a simple pin, since both the outer and inner end of the pivot are rigidly held in place.

The table-top I, which I use in connection with the frame-work, is removable and is secured as follows: A wire, .I, is secured to the under side of each end of the table-top by passing each end of the wire through a loop or staple, j. The body of the wire is sprung down and caught under the end of the braceframe. The spring of the wire is made suffieiently stiff to hold the tabletop firmly in place.

I claim- 1. In a combined step-ladder and adjustable bench, in combination with a pail-rest frame having longitudinal grooves cut in the sides thereof, a hinged connection consisting of a wire having its two ends bent at right angles with the middle portion, one of said ends passing through the end of the side bar of the ladder and thence into the end of the upper step,

and the other end extending through the side of the brace-frame below said step and into the said grooves of the pail-rest, whereby said pail-rest is suspended, substantially as shown.

2. In a combined stepladder and adjustable bench, in combination with a paitrest frame having longitudinal grooves cut in the sides thereof, a hinged connection consisting of a wire having its two ends bent at right angles with the middle portion, one of said ends passing through the end of the side bar of the ladder and thence into the end of the upper step, and the other end extending through the side of the brace-frame below said step and into the said groove, and a re-enforcing device for said connection, consisting of a headed wire passing around said connection, the headed end of said wire secured to the sides of the brace-frame by 7 means of a staple, and the small end being driven into the wood, substantially as shown. 3. In a combined step-ladder and adjustable bench, a table-top having under each end a bent wire, the ends of which pass through eyes or staples secured to said top and adapted to be sprung under the ends of the brace-frame to hold said top in place, substantially as shown.

In testimony whereof I affix my signatn re in presence of two witnesses.

MELVIN II. TYLER. Witnesses:

S. W. Barns, WrLnUa F. L'UNI. 

